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The Searight Saga #1
This Time Tomorrow
1915. Two brothers. One woman. A nation at war.
A compelling story of war, brotherly love, passion and betrayal.
Vast in scope and intimate in the portrayal of three lives swept along by circumstances, This Time Tomorrow moves from the drawing rooms of Edwardian London to the trenches of the Western Front and to the uncertainty of post-war Britain.
When Guy Searight volunteers to fight with the British army in the early days of the Great War, he leaves behind his girlfriend, Mary. While away fighting, Guy’s younger brother, Jack, seizes an opportunity to woo Mary for himself.
Forthright and self assured, Guy has always looked out for his confident but frail brother and blithely promises his fretting mother that he’ll look out for him when Jack’s turn comes to join up. But embittered by Jack’s betrayal, Guy vows that when Jack has to face the horrors of war for himself, he won’t be there to look after him.
When the brothers are reunited in the trenches of the Western Front, their thoughts are both with Mary. As Jack buckles under the strain of war, can Guy sustain his anger and allow his brother to suffer alone?
A shocking event, catastrophic in its intensity and barbaric in its conclusion, forces Guy to re-evaluate his relationship with his brother, with Mary and ultimately himself.
This Time Tomorrow is a tale of love, loss and longing.
Rupert Colley is the founder, editor and writer of the highly successful History In An Hour series of ebooks, published by HarperCollins. "This Time Tomorrow" is his second novel.
A compelling story of war, brotherly love, passion and betrayal.
Vast in scope and intimate in the portrayal of three lives swept along by circumstances, This Time Tomorrow moves from the drawing rooms of Edwardian London to the trenches of the Western Front and to the uncertainty of post-war Britain.
When Guy Searight volunteers to fight with the British army in the early days of the Great War, he leaves behind his girlfriend, Mary. While away fighting, Guy’s younger brother, Jack, seizes an opportunity to woo Mary for himself.
Forthright and self assured, Guy has always looked out for his confident but frail brother and blithely promises his fretting mother that he’ll look out for him when Jack’s turn comes to join up. But embittered by Jack’s betrayal, Guy vows that when Jack has to face the horrors of war for himself, he won’t be there to look after him.
When the brothers are reunited in the trenches of the Western Front, their thoughts are both with Mary. As Jack buckles under the strain of war, can Guy sustain his anger and allow his brother to suffer alone?
A shocking event, catastrophic in its intensity and barbaric in its conclusion, forces Guy to re-evaluate his relationship with his brother, with Mary and ultimately himself.
This Time Tomorrow is a tale of love, loss and longing.
Rupert Colley is the founder, editor and writer of the highly successful History In An Hour series of ebooks, published by HarperCollins. "This Time Tomorrow" is his second novel.
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2013
119 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Rupert Colley
32 books131 followersFounder, writer and Series Editor of History In An Hour (http://historyinanhour.com), owned by HarperCollins UK, and now author of two novels.
The first, "My Brother the Enemy", a novella, is set during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
The second, "This Time Tomorrow", set during and following World War One, is a compelling story of war, brotherly love, passion and betrayal.
My third novel, "The Black Maria", is set in Moscow in 1935, the height of Stalin's reign, about love crushed by the machine.
The first, "My Brother the Enemy", a novella, is set during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
The second, "This Time Tomorrow", set during and following World War One, is a compelling story of war, brotherly love, passion and betrayal.
My third novel, "The Black Maria", is set in Moscow in 1935, the height of Stalin's reign, about love crushed by the machine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 5, 2013
This Time Tomorrow is historical fiction involving two brothers and a girl they both love set in the midst of the British experience of the First World War and its aftermath.
Colley, founder of the History-in-an-Hour Harper Collins series, is able to keep the reader interested in his characters as we follow them through their various war-related experiences. The descriptions of trench warfare are particularly heart-stopping.
There was one scene that is told via flashback during an interview set in 1988 that at first didn't seem to make sense to me: why have this peripheral "future" character suddenly describe the book's next major scene? Why not leave it on the timeline?
But then I realized that it made perfect sense to show that the horrific event in which this character was forced to take part continued to haunt him well into his 90's. And after reading this section I almost wished there had been more scenes like this one that switched back and forth between timelines -- it was extremely effective.
Every once in a while I thought Colley was setting up his characters along conventional lines but then they would do something completely surprising; they are very real people.
The difference between non-fiction and good historical fiction is this: non-fiction presents the facts while historical fiction brings the reader into the room, so to speak. Colley manages to do both: the historical setting is perfectly accurate and the reader sees it up close. If you want to learn about the Great War, go ahead and read Colley's World War One in an Hour (or for specific British issues, Hochschild's To End All Wars). But if you are up for a cinematic view of British soldiers on the Western Front and the devastating issues they faced in the trenches and out, read This Time Tomorrow.
Colley, founder of the History-in-an-Hour Harper Collins series, is able to keep the reader interested in his characters as we follow them through their various war-related experiences. The descriptions of trench warfare are particularly heart-stopping.
There was one scene that is told via flashback during an interview set in 1988 that at first didn't seem to make sense to me: why have this peripheral "future" character suddenly describe the book's next major scene? Why not leave it on the timeline?
But then I realized that it made perfect sense to show that the horrific event in which this character was forced to take part continued to haunt him well into his 90's. And after reading this section I almost wished there had been more scenes like this one that switched back and forth between timelines -- it was extremely effective.
Every once in a while I thought Colley was setting up his characters along conventional lines but then they would do something completely surprising; they are very real people.
The difference between non-fiction and good historical fiction is this: non-fiction presents the facts while historical fiction brings the reader into the room, so to speak. Colley manages to do both: the historical setting is perfectly accurate and the reader sees it up close. If you want to learn about the Great War, go ahead and read Colley's World War One in an Hour (or for specific British issues, Hochschild's To End All Wars). But if you are up for a cinematic view of British soldiers on the Western Front and the devastating issues they faced in the trenches and out, read This Time Tomorrow.
January 14, 2015
Find this and other reviews at: http://flashlightcommentary.blogspot....
Rupert Colley's This Time Tomorrow was in impulse buy. I love war era fiction and despite its similarity to Private Peaceful, I thought the romantic story line had potential. The novel had a number of good reviews and I was genuinely optimistic going in which is probably why I fell so hard when the execution proved impossibly disappointing.
Several reviews cited intense emotional drama and well-rounded characters, but I recognized neither between these pages. Take for example, Mary and Guy's relationship. The novel hinges on this affair, but the two are together only a few short paragraphs before Searight leaves for the trenches. Colley denies readers the opportunity to embrace this connection so there is no reason to get worked up when Mary is snogging Jack a few pages on. This happens over and over throughout the novel. The audience is told what the characters are feeling, but never experiences the development of those emotions. The end result lacks depth and appeared exceedingly superficial.
Colley's style was also difficult for me to get into. The narrative is very linear with little atmospheric detail or embellishment. The bones of the story are here, but it needed to be fleshed out. The narrative is also heavy with dialogue which would be fine if the conversations weren't wooden and stale. Nothing sounded genuine or authentic to my ears, a fact which greatly contributed to my lack of enthusiasm for the Searight brothers both on and off the front line.
When all is said and done, This Time Tomorrow was a bust. Not unreadable, but not for me and not something I see myself recommending down the line.
Rupert Colley's This Time Tomorrow was in impulse buy. I love war era fiction and despite its similarity to Private Peaceful, I thought the romantic story line had potential. The novel had a number of good reviews and I was genuinely optimistic going in which is probably why I fell so hard when the execution proved impossibly disappointing.
Several reviews cited intense emotional drama and well-rounded characters, but I recognized neither between these pages. Take for example, Mary and Guy's relationship. The novel hinges on this affair, but the two are together only a few short paragraphs before Searight leaves for the trenches. Colley denies readers the opportunity to embrace this connection so there is no reason to get worked up when Mary is snogging Jack a few pages on. This happens over and over throughout the novel. The audience is told what the characters are feeling, but never experiences the development of those emotions. The end result lacks depth and appeared exceedingly superficial.
Colley's style was also difficult for me to get into. The narrative is very linear with little atmospheric detail or embellishment. The bones of the story are here, but it needed to be fleshed out. The narrative is also heavy with dialogue which would be fine if the conversations weren't wooden and stale. Nothing sounded genuine or authentic to my ears, a fact which greatly contributed to my lack of enthusiasm for the Searight brothers both on and off the front line.
When all is said and done, This Time Tomorrow was a bust. Not unreadable, but not for me and not something I see myself recommending down the line.
May 4, 2013
Rupert Colley normally writes non-fiction for the History In An Hour series. But here, for the second time, he turns his hand to fiction. While I thought his first novel, My Brother the Enemy, was excellent, this is perhaps even better. The story begins during the First World War in 1915 and takes us through to 1926. It starts and finishes in a railway station, which I thought was a nice touch.
The main characters, brothers Guy and Jack Searight, are superbly drawn as are all the supporting cast. The novel does have a cinematic feel to it and I can imagine it working well on the screen. It’s an incredibly moving novel and wonderfully written. Highly recommended and one which I shall long remember.
The main characters, brothers Guy and Jack Searight, are superbly drawn as are all the supporting cast. The novel does have a cinematic feel to it and I can imagine it working well on the screen. It’s an incredibly moving novel and wonderfully written. Highly recommended and one which I shall long remember.
April 17, 2017
Timeline 1914-1929 (WWI). Guy Searight (British Army) was at the Charing Cross train station saying goodbye to Mary (Guy’s GF), Arthur Searight (dad), Edith Searight (mother) & Jack Searight (Guy’s younger son/brother).
As were all the other young men who were off to fight for their country in a war they knew nothing really about.
9/1916, Charlton, England. Guy was home at last.
The bad news is Jack (18) had joined the Essex Regiment, & Edith had passed away.
Guy was headed over to see Mary Ray.
Josephine Ray (sister) answered the door as Jack watched Jack kissing his he thought GF.
8/2/1917, & Lieutenant Lafferty (1st., Platoon, D Co., 4th. Battalion, Essex Regiment CO) were getting everyone ready.
Jack (23) & Guy (19) were now in the same platoon.
9/14/1917, Private Reynolds lay in a pile of blood. Pickard had been hit also.
Private Bishop was blown to smothering’s. Albert Jarrett’s guts were hanging out.
Guy, Robert, & Jack managed to survive the bombing.
Savoy dugout. Sergeant Wilkins was taking roll for Lieutenant Lafferty & Major Smyth.
Shankland, Tasker, Thatcher, Thomas, Robert Chadwick, Guy, Robert, Charlie Fitzpatrick (Irish), Stanley “Stan the Man” Greene, Gregory, & Jack.
Private Teale had met his maker.
All hell breaks loose. Germans everywhere.
The British machine gunners were doing their best to provide cover fire.
Charlie was dead. Private Guy was taken to the nearest Aid-Post.
The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) & the Red Cross were buzzing around.
Major Cartwright (RAMC) was checking him out.
Ruby Ward. Guy’s left leg had to be amputated.
Robert later came to tell Guy, Jack had been arrested by the MP’s for desertion.
11/8/ 1917, Captain Ainsworth will represent Jack (# 8112) at the Field General Court Martial hearing.
Captain MacDonald (prosecutor), Major Hopkins, Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes Wilson, &
Lieutenant-Colonel Corns will be presiding.
Private Christopher Webb was called as a witness.
Lieutenant Lafferty & was called for a character witness (defense).
Sergeant Wilkins later testified.
What will his verdict be?
Arques. Guy was now at the Nissan huts (2nd. Battalion headquarters).
Sergeant Dunn took him to see his brother.
Marylebone. Later Guy & Ray were transferred from the HMS Derby to the Prince of Wales Hospital (Central Hotel).
Guy was fitted with a with a cumbersome wooden artificial leg.
Colonel Knot awarded him several medals. God save the Queen!
Where would Guy’s ventures take him now?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written WWI era historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great WWI era movie, or better yet a mini TV series. My favorites War. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free instafreebie; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
As were all the other young men who were off to fight for their country in a war they knew nothing really about.
9/1916, Charlton, England. Guy was home at last.
The bad news is Jack (18) had joined the Essex Regiment, & Edith had passed away.
Guy was headed over to see Mary Ray.
Josephine Ray (sister) answered the door as Jack watched Jack kissing his he thought GF.
8/2/1917, & Lieutenant Lafferty (1st., Platoon, D Co., 4th. Battalion, Essex Regiment CO) were getting everyone ready.
Jack (23) & Guy (19) were now in the same platoon.
9/14/1917, Private Reynolds lay in a pile of blood. Pickard had been hit also.
Private Bishop was blown to smothering’s. Albert Jarrett’s guts were hanging out.
Guy, Robert, & Jack managed to survive the bombing.
Savoy dugout. Sergeant Wilkins was taking roll for Lieutenant Lafferty & Major Smyth.
Shankland, Tasker, Thatcher, Thomas, Robert Chadwick, Guy, Robert, Charlie Fitzpatrick (Irish), Stanley “Stan the Man” Greene, Gregory, & Jack.
Private Teale had met his maker.
All hell breaks loose. Germans everywhere.
The British machine gunners were doing their best to provide cover fire.
Charlie was dead. Private Guy was taken to the nearest Aid-Post.
The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) & the Red Cross were buzzing around.
Major Cartwright (RAMC) was checking him out.
Ruby Ward. Guy’s left leg had to be amputated.
Robert later came to tell Guy, Jack had been arrested by the MP’s for desertion.
11/8/ 1917, Captain Ainsworth will represent Jack (# 8112) at the Field General Court Martial hearing.
Captain MacDonald (prosecutor), Major Hopkins, Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes Wilson, &
Lieutenant-Colonel Corns will be presiding.
Private Christopher Webb was called as a witness.
Lieutenant Lafferty & was called for a character witness (defense).
Sergeant Wilkins later testified.
What will his verdict be?
Arques. Guy was now at the Nissan huts (2nd. Battalion headquarters).
Sergeant Dunn took him to see his brother.
Marylebone. Later Guy & Ray were transferred from the HMS Derby to the Prince of Wales Hospital (Central Hotel).
Guy was fitted with a with a cumbersome wooden artificial leg.
Colonel Knot awarded him several medals. God save the Queen!
Where would Guy’s ventures take him now?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written WWI era historical fiction book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a large set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great WWI era movie, or better yet a mini TV series. My favorites War. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free instafreebie; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
March 13, 2017
Despite taking place during one of the most awful times during human history (and we've had quite a few), it is not a depressing book. Of course, the time the brothers spend in the trenches, is shocking and it touches the reader to the heart. But not in a bad way. I don't think I'll forget Jack, Guy and Mary anytime soon.
It was well written, I just couldn't stop reading!
It was well written, I just couldn't stop reading!
February 5, 2017
First paragraph: If there was ever a time to feel nervous, thought Guy, fiddling with the straps of his haversack, this was it. The horse-drawn taxi ride seemed to take an age reaching Charing Cross, while his mind spun constantly with excitement and anticipation. They’d all sat in silence; his father, sporting a black suit, chumping on his pipe, wore an expression of resolute self-restraint, his mother and Mary one of foreboding. Only Jack, his brother, seemed to be relishing Guy’s coming adventure.
"This Time Tomorrow" is WWI-era historical fiction, set in England and France from 1915 to 1926, about a love triangle between two brothers, Guy and Jack, and one girl, Mary. Overall, I thought the book was successful, despite a very lackluster beginning of the novel. At first, I did not enjoy the book and almost put it down, as the introduction of the love triangle of Guy, Mary and Jack seemed rushed and not very genuine. I had a difficult time relating to any of the characters, as there was very little description and the story was driven mainly through short conversations.
However, once this painful beginning was over and the brothers were both off to war, the story really took off with detailed descriptions of the war front. Here, the author seemed comfortable in relating the horrors of trench warfare - the sounds, the constant dampness, the waiting, the lice, the uncertainty, the precarious line between life and death. And here the relationship between the two brothers - solid, dependable Guy and exuberant, carefree Jack - really came alive for me. Jack's youthful selfishness becomes his downfall, and the tragedy of these two brothers is heartbreaking. The fickle nature of Mary's love for the brothers, and later a cousin, really spoiled my understanding of Guy's attraction to her. I wanted him to take the stump and beat her off with it.
The themes of honor and courage, cowardice and desertion, love and betrayal, family, loyalty, youth, war - all of these are present to some degree in this book. Overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an amazing story.
"This Time Tomorrow" is WWI-era historical fiction, set in England and France from 1915 to 1926, about a love triangle between two brothers, Guy and Jack, and one girl, Mary. Overall, I thought the book was successful, despite a very lackluster beginning of the novel. At first, I did not enjoy the book and almost put it down, as the introduction of the love triangle of Guy, Mary and Jack seemed rushed and not very genuine. I had a difficult time relating to any of the characters, as there was very little description and the story was driven mainly through short conversations.
However, once this painful beginning was over and the brothers were both off to war, the story really took off with detailed descriptions of the war front. Here, the author seemed comfortable in relating the horrors of trench warfare - the sounds, the constant dampness, the waiting, the lice, the uncertainty, the precarious line between life and death. And here the relationship between the two brothers - solid, dependable Guy and exuberant, carefree Jack - really came alive for me. Jack's youthful selfishness becomes his downfall, and the tragedy of these two brothers is heartbreaking. The fickle nature of Mary's love for the brothers, and later a cousin, really spoiled my understanding of Guy's attraction to her. I wanted him to take the stump and beat her off with it.
The themes of honor and courage, cowardice and desertion, love and betrayal, family, loyalty, youth, war - all of these are present to some degree in this book. Overall, I truly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an amazing story.
February 20, 2017
Great book
Waiting for the next one!!
Waiting for the next one!!
May 28, 2018
This book details the story of a family in World War One . Both of the sons sign up for the war and have each other’s backs, in fact Jack saved his brother Guy from dying in no mans land. Then on manoeuvres later he is deemed a deserter and is court-martialled and shot.
The family left behind has to suffer the indignity and shame , despite their other son Guy being a hero. This was a good book and detailed the trials and tribulations that were faced by soldiers who served at the front during that time. It was good to read at the end that the soldiers who were shot for desertion etc were pardoned .
The family left behind has to suffer the indignity and shame , despite their other son Guy being a hero. This was a good book and detailed the trials and tribulations that were faced by soldiers who served at the front during that time. It was good to read at the end that the soldiers who were shot for desertion etc were pardoned .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2019
This felt terribly rushed. There was so much potential for real complexity, but I never felt like I was reading about real people. Arguments ended too quickly. Everyone was too reasonable. People did stupid things and caused each other pain and then acted ridiculously callously, but were wholly forgiven.
I also felt far too much modern psychology in the behavior of the characters, and the language was an odd mix of archaic and modern.
The wartime scenes were the best, and honestly, the only reason I kept going. The bookended soap opera did not feel real at all.
I also felt far too much modern psychology in the behavior of the characters, and the language was an odd mix of archaic and modern.
The wartime scenes were the best, and honestly, the only reason I kept going. The bookended soap opera did not feel real at all.
May 11, 2017
This story was compelling and the tension between the three main characters was high. The description of the battles (WWI) and the human damage inflicted were a little too realistic for me. The ending was not satisfactory ; just too abrupt.
March 7, 2017
Unforgettable
This book of two brothers, war and Mary is unforgettable. Each and every character is major to the story and how war affected each of their lives.
This book of two brothers, war and Mary is unforgettable. Each and every character is major to the story and how war affected each of their lives.
August 12, 2017
I found myself drawn into this story of two brothers going off to fight in World War One and there were places in the story when I welled up with tears, something which doesn't happen very often.
February 14, 2019
While the story was marginally compelling, the writing was clunky. It was completely distracting and I found myself skimming a lot of redundant language. Tons of absolutes and repeats.
March 5, 2017
Realistic portrayal of WWI events through the lives, loves and losses of a family.
January 8, 2016
Colley digs into the heartache (and danger) of soldiers leaving their loved ones to go off and fight in the trenches. He also touches, quite vividly, on the gory and unforgiving reality of life in the trenches. In fact, the latter is depicted so well that I feel the love story is almost unnecessary and I would have preferred it to be left out entirely.
It has a very unpolished feel to it, and some of the narration is a bit redundant at times. The style isn't quite to my taste, I suppose. I also feel that some of the diction seems a bit out of place, historically. In all other ways, the amount of historic detail is inspiring.
I was amazed by the vivid description of the life of a soldier in the trenches and field hospitals. It pulled me in and made me feel like I was right there, in the terrible action. It gave me goosebumps and sent shivers through me.
I think it could be a truly amazing story if the dialogue and narration were cleaned up a bit, polished up and kept in past tense (a couple sections are in present tense, which is probably supposed to add a sense of in-the-moment-ness, but just feels out of place).
It has a very unpolished feel to it, and some of the narration is a bit redundant at times. The style isn't quite to my taste, I suppose. I also feel that some of the diction seems a bit out of place, historically. In all other ways, the amount of historic detail is inspiring.
I was amazed by the vivid description of the life of a soldier in the trenches and field hospitals. It pulled me in and made me feel like I was right there, in the terrible action. It gave me goosebumps and sent shivers through me.
I think it could be a truly amazing story if the dialogue and narration were cleaned up a bit, polished up and kept in past tense (a couple sections are in present tense, which is probably supposed to add a sense of in-the-moment-ness, but just feels out of place).
January 10, 2017
This book represents the 'War to end all wars' and is a story of a family whose two sons volunteered and ended in a man made hell. One brother saves the other when he is shot during a mission, which left him lying in what was termed "no man's land": the strip of land between the trenches.
This story also tells about the women who were left waiting for their men to come back to them and hoe, over the prolonged period of time, not all remained faithful.
To younger readers, this book may be shocking in its depiction of what this war was like. I don't believe we could really understand the situation our ancestors were put in, and the dehumanizing effect the army can have on anyone who was enlisted. This book, in my opinion, gives a fairly accurate picture of life at this time and the battlefield experience is also painted in It's true colors.
I must congratulate Mr Colley on his historically accurate and yet, very engaging story line, which I believe most readers would find a dramatic and a credible read. .
I voluntarily submitted this review after reading an advanced copy of this book.
This story also tells about the women who were left waiting for their men to come back to them and hoe, over the prolonged period of time, not all remained faithful.
To younger readers, this book may be shocking in its depiction of what this war was like. I don't believe we could really understand the situation our ancestors were put in, and the dehumanizing effect the army can have on anyone who was enlisted. This book, in my opinion, gives a fairly accurate picture of life at this time and the battlefield experience is also painted in It's true colors.
I must congratulate Mr Colley on his historically accurate and yet, very engaging story line, which I believe most readers would find a dramatic and a credible read. .
I voluntarily submitted this review after reading an advanced copy of this book.
June 15, 2013
‘This Time Tomorrow’ is Rupert Colley’s second foray into historical fiction, his first being the novella, ‘My Brother the Enemy’ - a book I enjoyed so much, I was a little worried this one wouldn’t quite match up.
Oh me of little faith! Far from being inferior, this is, if anything, even better than its predecessor. While both books are a testament to the author’s talent for drawing believable characters, the fact that 'This Time Tomorrow' is a full-length novel means there is a fuller exploration of themes and a more complex and emotionally demanding storyline than 'My Brother the Enemy'.
The attention to historical detail is spot-on, as is the pace of the narrative as the story reaches its devastating denouement. And once again, the dialogue is masterful.
Not to be missed.
Oh me of little faith! Far from being inferior, this is, if anything, even better than its predecessor. While both books are a testament to the author’s talent for drawing believable characters, the fact that 'This Time Tomorrow' is a full-length novel means there is a fuller exploration of themes and a more complex and emotionally demanding storyline than 'My Brother the Enemy'.
The attention to historical detail is spot-on, as is the pace of the narrative as the story reaches its devastating denouement. And once again, the dialogue is masterful.
Not to be missed.
May 28, 2013
I recently read the first novel by this author and loved it, so couldn't wait to try this. I was not disappointed. The characters were so well drawn both believably flawed and heroic. Some of the actions carried out by one of the characters really highlighted the immaturity and naivety of those young men who so readily rushed to enlist - very cleverly done.
Caring about what happened to those in the story took me on an immense journey bringing home the very personal stories lost in such a frightening world of total war. I cried several times!
I could go on and on but then the review would be full of spoilers.
I strongly recommend this enriching read, the characters will stay with you for a long time afterwards.
Caring about what happened to those in the story took me on an immense journey bringing home the very personal stories lost in such a frightening world of total war. I cried several times!
I could go on and on but then the review would be full of spoilers.
I strongly recommend this enriching read, the characters will stay with you for a long time afterwards.
September 7, 2014
This book was sent to me by www.librarything.com to review.
In this centenary year of the outbreak of World War 1, this made this book published in this year even more poignant.
This is a well written and well researched story of two brothers Guy and Jack and their different experiences of the horrors of war.
The story line is good and there are twists too,just when the reader thinks they know the story it takes a different angle.
This was extremely moving and I struggled to put the book down, I wanted to know what happened.
Comparing this to Pat Barker's novel Regeneration this was much more compelling.
A great author and it has been a real privilege to review this book. An author to look out for.
In this centenary year of the outbreak of World War 1, this made this book published in this year even more poignant.
This is a well written and well researched story of two brothers Guy and Jack and their different experiences of the horrors of war.
The story line is good and there are twists too,just when the reader thinks they know the story it takes a different angle.
This was extremely moving and I struggled to put the book down, I wanted to know what happened.
Comparing this to Pat Barker's novel Regeneration this was much more compelling.
A great author and it has been a real privilege to review this book. An author to look out for.
February 25, 2015
The story line sounded like it would be good - WWI setting, two brothers in love with the same girl, the trauma of returning to life after the trenches... But the author just didn't pull it off for me. The characters and the emotion all fell flat. There was a lot of dialog, and it did not seem natural - I couldn't imagine men in the trenches would use a word like "gosh" and even though there were lots of situations screaming for emotion, I didn't feel it coming from the characters. I didn't ever warm to the two Searight brothers.
January 19, 2015
Set in the early 20th century during WWI this story has the grit and horror of war juxtaposed with the story of two brothers that fall in love with the same woman. It was interesting to read how many young men were actually shot by the British army due to “desertion-cowardice” and for that reason alone this book holds merit. There was nothing that was new in this story but it was well written and entertaining and that is how I decided to give it a star value of three.
I received this book through a Library Thing giveaway.
I received this book through a Library Thing giveaway.
June 2, 2015
This is good story, well developed,maybe not the ending I wanted, but a strong ending, just the same. The story takes place prior to WWII, when two brothers volunteered for military duty, the younger brother following his older brother. It was an emotional story with twists and turns I didn't anticipate.
November 21, 2014
I loved this story about the vastly different experiences two brothers who served in the grisly trench warfare of WWI. I felt so bad that they both fell in love with the same woman and that she had no loyalties except to herself. I wish there would be a sequel to see how the characters' lives unfold during the years after the war. This was an excellent read. I give it 5 stars.
January 21, 2015
Novel of WWI. Brothers end up in the same unit. They love the same girl. Elder brother severely wounded. Realistic descriptions of battle and boredom in the trenches. I don't know much about WWI, but this is gritty. Worth the read.
February 4, 2015
This book was just weird. The plot was minimal and some of the characters' actions were just inexplicable. There was potential, but very little development.
There were also numerous issues with word usage, spelling, and translations (some of the French was incorrect).
There were also numerous issues with word usage, spelling, and translations (some of the French was incorrect).
Want to read
July 19, 2013These freebies are piling up, I need to shelve them to keep track.
Thanks Misfit ;)
Thanks Misfit ;)
August 7, 2013
What a fantastic book this is.
The horror of WWI is not easy to read about.
The horror of WWI is not easy to read about.
January 11, 2015
Enjoyed the story and the characters. Will read more by this author
February 6, 2015
good war read from the ENGLISH side
March 30, 2015
Not crazy about the ending. Got a little nonsensical.
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